The New England Patriots need to bring in reinforcements to upgrade the edge position for next season. The defense still needs to continue being the strong side for the team, as quarterback Drake Maye is still developing into the franchise, MVP-caliber QB entering his third year in the NFL.
In the short offseason since losing in the Super Bowl, the Patriots have been quietly preparing for the NFL Draft by having their scouts at the Senior Bowl and in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine that runs from Feb. 26 through March 1.
While at the Senior Bowl, New England studied two standout edge defenders and showed a strong level of interest by interviewing them during the weekend event. The pair of seniors that they interviewed were T.J. Parker (Clemson) and Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State).
Let’s dive into what they bring to the table for New England to potentially use their first-round draft pick (No. 31) on one of them.
T.J. Parker (6’3”, 265 lbs.)
T.J. Parker is ranked as a top-10 prospect in his position after a standout career at Clemson. He finished with 126 total tackles (41.5 for loss) and 21.5 sacks in 39 games. He holds the school record for the most forced fumbles in a single season (6) and tackles for a loss by a freshman (12.5), while ranking 10th in career sacks.
The production speaks for itself, but it’s the overall technique that makes Parker successful and stand out as a prominent force off the edge. In addition to being powerful, his hand usage allows him to knock offensive linemen away from him in a martial art-like manner, such as karate or judo.
Parker is poised for success in the NFL, and he has the build to make an immediate impact for the Patriots if they’re able to draft him. With veteran Harold Landry aging and coming off a down year, there’s a legitimate need for an upgrade to the position. He met with Patriots scouts during the Senior Bowl.
NFL Comp: Chandler Jones
Dani Dennis-Sutton (6’5”, 268 lbs.)
Dani Dennis-Sutton is a strong, powerful edge rusher who is currently under the radar as a first-round draft pick, but he is a player that New England has its eyes on. In four years at Penn State, he totaled 127 tackles (34.5 for loss) and 23.5 sacks with eight pass deflections and two interceptions in 55-games.
Dennis-Sutton’s build allows him to play all along the defensive front, and he’s versatile enough to play as a linebacker in the middle of the defense. He is strong and has great vision to be able to read and react within the play, which has led to him having seven forced fumbles in his career.
He’s as consistent as they come. Dennis-Sutton finished with 42 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and three pass deflections in each of the last two seasons. New England would benefit greatly from a powerful and versatile linebacker addition like Dennis-Sutton. I believe he could also make an immediate impact for New England.
NFL Comp: Jamie Collins
Patriots Have Tough Decisions To Make On Possible Returning Players
The Patriots’ positional depth is thin behind Landry. With starter K’Lavon Chaisson set to become a free agent coming off the best season of his career, it would be wise for New England to re-sign him after he just finished the season as a top pass rusher on the team with 7.5 sacks on 18 QB hits, both ranked second on the team, only behind Landry.
There’s also the possibility that New England could trade their first-round pick for a veteran edge rusher who happens to be one of the best in the NFL, in Maxx Crosby, and he reportedly wants to be traded from the Las Vegas Raiders.
With the Patriots’ quick success in the first year of a rebuild, where they ended up landing in the Super Bowl with a desirable coach in Mike Vrabel is eye-opening for veterans and free agents to go to New England as a possible landing destination.